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St George's Day Parade Service
On the 25th of April we held our
St George's Day Parade Service where over 400 people
attended with representatives present from all the
emergency services, the army, sea and RAF cadet forces.
The Mayor, local dignitaries and MP's were also in
attendance. The service was a joyous and happy
occasion, celebrating all that is English about St
George's Day. With two beautiful songs from the
choir, rousing renditions of "Onward
Christen Soldiers" and "Jerusalem", Cannon Steve provided
us with an uplifting sermon. The Finale with a
wonderful "march past" outside St John's and the
Palace Hotel. It felt an honour to be part of the
event, of being English and very fortunate that so many
of the Armed Services past and present have served to
maintain our nation's heritage.


World War II Veterans
St
John's holds various
civic and military services. The VE/VJ Day
Memorial Service is normally held in September.
We are
extremely proud to be involved in this way with people
who gave so much for their country many years ago and in
this day and age get so easily forgotten.
How our
association began started back in 2000. When The
Southend Branch of the Dunkirk Veterans was disbanded.
They needed somewhere to ‘lay up’ their Standard so St
John’s took it in –principally because one of the
members had begun to worship at St John’s through the
Lifeboat link. His name is Harold Ings and he used to
work in the Lifeboat Shop. He is a Dunkirk Veteran
himself.
This created
something of a momentum and the other services began to
happen. Stephen our Rector is the Chaplain to the Naval
& Military Club.
There are
several Standards of organisations which have now been
'laid up' in St John's. The Dunkirk Veterans, The
Royal Army Service Corps and the Burma Star Association
have recently installed their Crest.
RNLI Carol Service
The Southend
Lifeboat Station is one of the busiest in the country
and is situated at the end of Southend Pier- the longest
pleasure pier in the world. As part of Stephen
role as their Chaplain he is often on hand to deal with
any emotional difficulties that may arise from the
rescue work of the lifeboat crews. This means getting to
know the crew members personally so that they may feel
able to call on him. Stephen is often called upon to
take services for the wider RNLI ‘family’ which includes
fundraisers, other supporters and the executive of the
lifeboat branch. Stephen also conducts funerals and
weddings on their behalf. Stephen
has been out in the lifeboats on two occasions, both times
to scatter ashes at sea.
Zimbabwe
The parish is arranging
a collection of children’s toys, clothing and shoes (in
good condition) f or children in Zimbabwe. These will
be sent directly to Zimbabwe by a member of St Mark’s
congregation to his father who is a Pastor over there,
and distributed directly to local children.
There will be boxes for
these items in all the churches. For more details
telephone Kim on 01702 331444
Would any children like
to write to children in Zimbabwe? Any parents of
children who are
interested, please
contact Kim on the above number.
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